Cooler weather, rain helps to dampen East Saddle Mountain Fire

Cooler temperatures and rain Sunday morning helped fire fighters get the upper hand on the East Saddle Mountain Fire burning in Grant County near Othello and moving toward the Adams County line, but not before one home was lost in the blaze.

The fire was first reported at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, and the cause is under investigation.

Officials with the Adam's County Sheriff's Office say one home was lost to the 10,000 acre wildfire Saturday night. About 30 homes were threatened, prompting level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation orders Saturday. Fire crews actively saved two homes from the fast-moving flames on Saturday.

According to a report released Sunday morning, the fire has caused damage to some electricity infrastructure, and some railroad ties have burned along train tracks in the area.

A Southeast Washington Type 3 Interagency Incident Management Team took over management of the fire at about 8:00 p.m. Saturday as winds and hot temperatures pushed the flames onto both sides of Saddle Mountain. According to social media posts on Sunday morning, cooler temperatures and rain showers that moved through the area early Sunday helped to dampen the fire.

The cause of the blaze hasn't been released.